Weight gain: Actually haven't gained anything the last month, but I'm still not saying...lol

Maternity clothes: I live in the same maternity jeans DAILY. And my sister informed me I am allowed to wear yoga pants to get the kids at school, but NOT sweatpants. Apparently there is a significant different!

Stretch marks: Still NO, so yeah about that. I think I am good from here on out. I did get my scar gel ready for c-section though.

Belly button in or out: Out

Sleep: Very VERY fleeting. I am reminded that I don't sleep now, so I can appreciate the lack of sleep when baby comes.

Best moment this week: My friends Tasha and Brenna giving me their boys old clothing. Since we thought we were done, we gave away all our NB-12 months clothes. So it was SUCH a blessing and I am So grateful.

Worst moment this week: Sleep, sleep, and again the LACK of sleep.

Miss anything: Walking the kids to school without feeling utter pain everywhere.

Movement: Lots of contractions which cause some serious tummy distortions which are funny.

Queasy or sick: Good, just uncomfortable from baby being in position for some time now.

Looking forward to: Baby boy just getting here and being done with this pregnancy and enjoying a little newborn in my arms.

My Must HAVE Registry items:

Mederma Scar Gel- Because I have c-sections (this will be my 4th) I have tried my hardest to minimize the scar and tissue. I have found and heard that this is one of the best out there. So even if you don't have a c-section but have stretch marks, I'd recommend using this EVERYDAY (its hard to remember) but it will make a difference.

Boppy Pillow- Great for a million reasons, but most importantly for great positioning for breastfeeding from the very beginning. Then they transition to tummy time & a comfy little prop for baby later on. There are tons of cute covers now too.

Medela Pump in Style Advanced - This is the breast pump that I used (my sister in-law who is a nurse, and everyone I know recommends this one) & I can't say enough good things about it. Although I have a very difficult time breastfeeding and pumping...dread creeping in... the pump itself is fantastic.

Avent Bottles & Dr. Brown Bottles - All of my kids have had issues with digestion, gas, milk, etc. NOT fun. So we found (after TONS of trials) that while in infancy (through about 6 months) that Dr. Brown's bottles are the BEST! After they start on solids we use Avent just because they are convenient to clean, the babies can begin to hold them on their own easily.

Playtext Diaper Genie Elite- I know some people think this is disgusting. But really I HATE walking out to the outside trash can (it is an ordeal with a newborn and 3 other kids) so that means the poppy diaper is left by the door, in the garage, or elsewhere where it stinks or looks even more disgusting, so why not. We LOVE this one. Especially for infants. Once they are older like my 2 year old you DO need to empty more often (smellier and larger) but still does it's job.

Ingenuity Cozy Coo Sway Seat (Coco Cafe)- We just got this one for this baby. ALL of babies have been movers and shakers (need constant motion). So we have killed numerous swings, gliders through them all. So this is one of the few things we decided to invest in for this baby. It's not only like a swing but gives a gentle rocking motion. It has 3 different positions to adjust to and plays nature sounds or gentle music as well. So here's to hoping this is the winner. Tate loved the glider like this when he was an infant and it was nice to take along on little vacations as well.

Jan 16, 2014

The countdown is ON. To say the least! The tears are coming more frequently, the exhaustion is setting in, sleepless nights are HERE (to stay for a while too) and this baby cannot come soon enough...

Because I have had c-sections with all of my babies I know my date already, 3 weeks from TODAY, February 6th at 7:30am, IF I don't go into labor earlier (I feel like I just might, I was over 2 weeks early with Ella).

At this point I honestly would almost rather go into labor, I am not one of those that wants that bun in the oven for as long as possible and enjoys it. I kinda feel like an alien lives in me and sucks the life from every ounce of energy from my body (ha ha totally just thought of Twilight) but really how I feel sometimes. SUPER bad analogy but you get the point (yes I read those darn books a few years after all the hype, I had to know).

You would also think that with this being baby and c-section number 4 that it wouldn't be a big deal for me anymore, but oh contraire. I am scared, nervous, anxious, and ALWAYS dread that darn needle down my spine and feeling the liquid shoot up my neck and down my spine (it's just not normal).

But this time around I think I am most anxious for what's around the corner AFTER baby comes. Having 4 little ones under 7 is a daunting thought. 2 in diapers. 1 not sleeping through the night (2 others that still wake up periodically from nightmares or what have you). Breastfeeding (not an easy task for moi). Baby blues and not leaving the house. And then my hubbie starting a new job just 2 weeks after a c-section surgery and all that madness above...YIKES! I'm shuddering now just thinking about it all. I am a worrier, I know it, I hate it, but it is life. So I am just trying to prepare and stay busy. I have planned lots the next few weeks with girlfriends, family, and things to do in order to keep my mind off things and to be ready, but that is killing me with exhaustion at this point too!

So with all that said I am ready. I am excited and I KNOW he will bring great joy to our home. I am ready for this little MAN to join our family. I want him to get here and just get the show (crazy little show as it may be) on the road. So let this countdown begin.

Still no belly picture, but I am in a picture (not by choice) with the family from last weekend...

THE UPDATE:

How far along: 37 weeks

Gender: still a little man

Weight gain: I cant go there, I don't feel like I can expand any more, and this is the highest I have gotten with any of my pregnancies (weight watchers here I come)

Maternity clothes: The same pair of Old Navy maternity pants everyday (the only thing that fits comfortably) and as minimal as possible everywhere else.

Stretch marks: Still no thank goodness

Belly button in or out: Out without a doubt

Sleep: Not so good. A few bad days throws me off completely and bathroom breaks at LEAST every 3 hours.

Best moment this week: Getting some of the baby stuff washed and setting up his bassinet. Feeling more real.

Worst moment this week: Emotions and hormones are on a rage this week. It's been one for the record books. Trying to stay busy.

Miss anything: If I am being honest, just standing up (from a sitting position) without effort. Painting my own toenails.

Movement: Not as much rolling, more sharp kicks.

Cravings: Anything edible, but really!

Queasy or sick: Not bad. Think nauseous from the lack of sleep.

Looking forward to: Getting through to next week. Ned will be off work (before his new job). Getting baby stuff done. Starting my pre-op appointments, then having this baby BOY!

Jan 10, 2014

Christmas went SO fast for me. I worried about giving my children the magic I felt at this time of year when I was a child. But really if I think about it, I think the magic cant be created it is just natural and normal.

But we of course stayed busy trying to do it all and create that magic for the kids. Either way I think we succeeded.

Gingerbread houses, Santa at Bass Pro Shop, Mission Inn with my sister April and the kids doing the robot, Decorations. The kids LOVE putting up decorations. Even though they told mom and dad numerous times they could not believe we never got the star up this year. Yep it never made it up. Sad.

But my favorite was usually in our own home, where I LOVED, loved seeing the magic through the eyes of a child and for the first time with Tate. He loved the lights, the ornaments, the Christmas music in the background. Everything was just so magical for him and it helped me get into the holiday spirit better.

And I'm still getting asked by some people: "Did you get a dog?" They saw this letter on my other social media sites. The answer is: NO, we did not get a dog for Christmas. It was the closest I ever got to actually caving in, but I didn't. We will be waiting until the originally disclosed agreement (at least: Ella 10, Asher 8, Tate 4, Baby 2). ha ha Call me a mean mom, but I call it my sanity.

So with all this being said LIFE is just so hard to BALANCE sometimes. Don't you agree? So I decided that my new word for 2014 will be BALANCE.

This is something I just really struggle with. I feel like I am always trying to do it all and so very often failing at most everything. I'm grateful for a very grounded husband who reminds me that we are doing great and only doing the best we can with everything we can. So I thought this would be a great goal for me in the new year.

I know I will be wanting to lose ALL that baby weight in 4 months (wont happen unless I sacrificed everything in my life).

I will want to cuddle ALL day with my newborn baby boy (wont happen with a 2 year old and 2 other older children).

I will want to be the BEST wife. Be so supportive of the hubbies new job, hot dinners on the table each night (not including taco bell), the house cleaned, laundry done, and everything organized (my husband already told me I am going to need to"mental" chill on this and not worry about it once the baby is born).

I want to be the awesome (tiger) mom. Practicing Ella's piano perfectly each day, sports, great grades, and actually enjoy doing homework with the kids (ugh, ugh, and triple UGH!). But I know I will just need to do my best.

So the list could go ON and ON and ON but I am just going to do my best and try to get BALANCE in my life for 2014 and take everything in stride.